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I have never played a Keeley, but have played with a guy who has one. It had a great boost effect when he went into a lead without much tone change.
I bought a Rt66 and an MXR together. Sold the MXR quickly, way too squishy. The 66 has been on my board for two years. It's always on. Sustain 900, Tone 1200, Gain 9-1000 tone switch on. I have been real happy with it and would recommend it. No squishiness, brings out all the strings evenly. Adds a piano like clarity to singles and hums for me.

I've had a R66 for 6 or 7 years and love it. Got it on recommendation from Johnny Hiland, who endorses (or used to, not sure if he still does) VisualSound. I had a friend who worked at VS as a technician until last year, and he said that the circuitry has changed in the pedal over time, so I'm not sure what the newer versions are like, but if they're anything like the originals, you'll probably dig it.

My Wampler Ego Compressor arrived last Wednesday.
I've used it for a rehearsal and a gig.
It's versatile, easily adapts to Tele and LP.
At last night's gig I used my LP. I found a setting I liked and left the comp on for all three sets.
This is the new 5-knob version, with blend, level, tone, attack, and sustain.
LHW, I know you asked about two specific comps, but this one's worth a look.
It costs more than the Route 66, but less than the Keeley.

I've tried the Keeley (but didn't own it) and owned a Rte 66. Both were good. The dual-use Rte 66 (4 years ago) was one of the noisiest pedals I've ever had. I probably had a fluke but sold it rather than going to VS CS. For about the same footprint but a few more $$ I use a Tone Press and OCD to do what the '66 does.

The VS Route 66 works well for me. I've never had the Keeley so I can't speak to that one. I have had the Boss CS-3, Dyna Comp, Super Comp, a nd a few rackmount units. I have never been as happy with a compressor as I am with the Route 66.

My Rt66 is such a nice open sounding compressor that I often just set it low and leave it on to make my rig sound.... just better somehow. Turned up it never gets overly squishy or splashy. I never tried an old Ross but if this is what it sounded like it was good. : )

And I don't really like compression that much. But this is much better than the Boss I used to use.

I run the Tone knob a bit higher than these guys do, like 3:00, but I have the original RT66. That may make a difference.

(This message was last edited by BIGBOB369 at 02:35 AM, Feb 15th, 2010)

The old Ross compressor seems to be the benchmark for many compressors. I know the MXR Dyna Comp was supposed to be modeled after the Ross. I never cared for the Dyna Comp. I've tried three different versions of that compressor and could never fall in love with it. Too much noise and too much squish. I probably never got it dialed in right, but it wasn't for lack of trying.
The Rt. 66 may be closer to the Ross than the Dyna Comp has ever been. I know that I didn't hate my Rt. 66 as far as the compressor side goes. It was just a large pedal to have on my board. Especially, since I didn't care that much for the OD side of the pedal.
What I like about the Barber over any other compressor I've owned is the subtle nature of the pedal when it compresses. Of course, you can dial it in with as much compression as you can stand...if that's your thing. But, it can be set low and subtle for just the right amount of sustain and compression and left on all the time, or you can just set it for an over all boost.

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